Next Year's Medical School Expansion by 2,000 Students Canceled... Han Deok-su Allows "50-100% Range for Autonomous Recruitment"

Government Accepts National University Presidents' Proposal... Autonomous Admissions Next Year
Withdraws from Previous 2,000 Student Increase... Significant Reduction
Prime Minister Han: "Bold Decision Reflecting Public Demand"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and related ministers held a special briefing on the expansion of medical school admissions on the afternoon of the 19th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government has decided to allow the 32 medical schools with expanded quotas to autonomously recruit new students within 50-100% of the increased number for the 2025 academic year, if they wish. Accordingly, the initially announced expansion of 2,000 medical school quotas next year is expected to be scaled down.

On the 19th, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced this plan at a special briefing on medical school quota expansion held at the Government Seoul Office, stating, "We have taken seriously the demands of the public and patients urging for problem resolution and judged that bold decisions are necessary."

Earlier, the presidents of six national universities?Kangwon National University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Chungnam National University, Chungbuk National University, and Jeju National University?had requested the government the day before to take necessary measures to allow autonomous recruitment of new students within 50-100% of the increased medical school quotas, considering each university's circumstances. This request was promptly accepted.

Prime Minister Han said, "I believe the university presidents, as respected elders of our society, have conveyed what they consider the most reasonable solution based on the public opinion they have gathered so far," and added, "I appreciate their efforts to propose wise and rational alternatives considering the situations of various groups involved in this highly contentious social issue."

The government's prompt acceptance of the national university presidents' proposal through the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the same day is interpreted as part of efforts to find a solution amid intense conflicts between the government and the medical community over healthcare reform.

Prime Minister Han explained, "The government cannot leave the damage caused by medical vacancies unattended in a situation where the medical community finds it difficult to present a unified alternative," and added, "Especially since the 2025 academic year admissions are approaching, we also considered the need to minimize anxiety among prospective students and parents, as well as the urgent necessity to normalize the medical school academic schedule."

He continued, "The government has made a decisive decision to proactively protect medical students by positively accepting the national university presidents' proposals, to normalize medical education, and to create a starting point for resolving conflicts in the medical field."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and related ministers attended a special briefing on the expansion of medical school admissions held on the afternoon of the 19th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where they explained the government's position on the adjustment of medical school quotas proposed by the presidents of key national universities.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Accordingly, among the 32 medical schools with expanded quotas this year, those wishing to do so must decide the number of recruits autonomously within the allowed range by the end of this month by revising the 2025 academic year admission plan.

Additionally, by the end of this month, the 2026 academic year admission plan must also be finalized and announced, reflecting the increase of 2,000 quotas.

Due to this government measure, the scale of medical school quota expansion next year is expected to be significantly reduced from the original 2,000 to the 1,000 range. If more universities participate beyond the six national universities that submitted the proposal, the reduction in the increase is expected to be even greater.

Prime Minister Han reiterated that the government will actively consider it if the medical community presents a unified plan in the future.

He said, "The government is ready to engage in dialogue with an open mind anytime if the medical community presents a scientific and rational unified plan, even now," and added, "As a responsible government, I hope today's decision will serve as a turning point for problem resolution."